Quick disconnect coupling



AU@ 29S 1944 J. n. sNYDER um. 2,357,232

QUICK DISCONNECT OUPLING Filed July 27, 1942 4 Sheets-Sheet l AU@ 29, 1944 J. R. sNYnER Erm. 2,357,232

QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING Filed July 427, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 2 n Brit-Ld HHH H Aug 2Q, im..

J. R. SNYDER Erm.,

QUIQK DISCONNECT COUPLING.

med .my 2v, 1.942-

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 'HlIl-lilllll HHHHIM;

l A@ we fo-w/vH/u.

u. s E9 il.

J. R SNYDER Erm. 2,357232 QUICK DIscoNNEc'r coUPLING Filed July l2'?, 1942 SheefcSf-Sheet 4 Patented Aug. 29, 1944 QUICK DISCONNECT COUPLING Jacob R. Snyder and Arthur Townhill, Cleveland,

Ohio, assignors tov Thompson Products Incorporated, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application July 27, 1942, Serial No. 452,426

1o claims.

'Ihis invention relates to an improved coupling of the type having a split rotatable plug detachably connecting a pair of coupling boxes for controlling uid flow therebetween wherein the heretofore necessary separate end caps for the coupling boxes are eliminated.

Specifically the invention relates'to a readily operated coupling of the type having a split cylindrical plug joining the coupling boxes and sealing the same when they are disconnected wherein each coupling box is composed of only one piece and contains plug-receiving semi-circular tracks for retaining the plug parts in operative position without necessitating the use of other retaining means.

According to this invention complementary coupling parts are arranged for connection with the ends oftubes, hoses or other conduits which are to be placed in fluid flow communication when joined together and whichare to have the ends thereof sealed when separated. A split ro- -tatable cylindrical valve or plug detachably connects the coupling parts and controls fluid iow between the parts. A portion of the valve is retained in each coupling part for sealing the respective parts when the' same are uncoupled so as to prevent loss of fluid out of the ends of the then separated conduits.

It has heretofore been necessary to utilize end caps or separate retainers on the coupling parts in order to mount the -split valve in operative relation in the parts. In accordance with one form of this invention, however, vthe coupling parts are arranged with semi-annular grooves around the bottoms thereof and with semi-annular flanges around the tops thereof while the split valve has an annular bottom flange adapted to t into the semi-annular grooves and an annular top groove adapted to receive the semiannular top flanges of the coupling parts.v The coupling parts of this form of the invention also have lips adapted to overlie the top of the valve for preventing removal of the valve from the coupling parts. These lips, however, extend only over a localized-portion of the valve so that when the coupling parts are disconnected the valve parts can be moved to a position permitting them to be lifted out of the coupling parts.

In another form of the invention, the overhanging lips are eliminated and thevsplit valve and coupling parts have cooperating tongues and grooves which are alone sufficient to hold the valve parts and coupling parts in assembled relation. In this form each coupling part has a semicircular iiange or tongue extending upwardly around the top thereof together with an inwardly extending semi-circular tongue around the in: side thereof near the bottom and an unstanding semi-annular flange on the bottom. Each valve s flange on the bottoms of the coupling parts. The

inwardly extending tongues, when seated in the grooved side walls of the valve parts, will hold the valve parts against attemptedlifting removal from the couplings.

The coupling parts have at end faces adapted y to be attached to conduit nipples or other conduit fittings.

Stop lugs can be provided on the valve for engaging a stop pin or other abutment on a coupling part so that the valve will not be rotated beyond fully opened and fully closed positions.

To facilitate proper alignment of the disconnected coupling parts for the coupling operation, one mating face of a valve part can have a well therein for securing a lug or pin projecting from the mating face ofthe other valve. Alternatively the one mating face can protrude from the coupling part to seat in a recess provided by undercutting the mating face of the other coupling part. n

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of spring pressed locks on the valve parts to prevent removal of these parts from their coupling housings but arrangedto permit movement of the valve parts to positions for at least partially uncovering the ports in the coupling housings even when the housings arev disconnected so that the parts and conduits communi- 85 eating therewith can be drained il?` desired.

An object of the invention'v therefore is to simplify quick disconnect couplings.

A further object of the invention is to eliminate the heretofore necessary separate end caps 40 on coupling parts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide light-weight disconnect couplings adapted for use in airplane fuel, oil and hydraulic conduits.

Another object is to provide mating faces on coupling parts which will insure proper align-- ment of the parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ,self sealing detachable coupling with locking devices preventing removal of partsA but allowing movement of the parts to drain positions.

A stillv further object of the invention is to provide a quick disconnect coupling composed of only four main parts. y

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from f the following detailed description of the annexed sheets of drawings which, by way of preferred example, illustrate several embodiments On the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a cording to this invention.

coupling ac- FigureZ is an end elevational view of thecoupling taken along the line lII--IlV of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is 4a. cross-sectional view of the coupling taken along the line llI--III of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 but illustrating the parts in uncoupled relation.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along.

the line V--V of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 5.

Figure '1 isa top plan view of another form of coupling according to this invention. Y

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of the coupling shown in Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of the couin Figures 6 to 11, in disconnect drain position.

As shown on the drawings:

As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the reference numeral IIJ designates generally a coupling according to this invention composed of coupling boxes II and I2 and a split rotatable valve I3 carried by the coupling boxes and composed of halfsections 13a and 13b.

The box l l has a nat end face u with internally threaded holes I4a extending inwardly therefrom for receiving an 'attachment member (not shown) on the end of a conduit. Top and bottom ilanges I5 and I5 respectively are provided on the coupling box II in inwardly spaced relation from the end face I4. These flanges I5 and I6, as best shown in Figure 2, can have apertures Iia and Ilia therethrough for attaching the coupling box to a supporting wall such as, lfor example,

-the nre wall of an airplane engine nacelle (not As best shown in Figures 3 and 5, the coupling box II has a flat bottom wall I1 projecting forwardly from the flange I5.4 This bottom wall I1 has a -semi-circular groove Ila on the inner face thereof.

As shown in Figure 6, the coupling box I I has segmental cylindrical side walls I8 and I9. These side walls extend from the flat bottom I1.

A cylindrical passageway 20 extends inwardly from the at endvface I4 of the coupling box into an intersecting vertical segmental cylindrical chamber 2l defined by the bottom wall I1 and the side walls I8 and I9. This intersecting cylindrical chamber therefore has an open end and an open top.v

As best shown in Figures 3 and 5, the coupling box l I has a short top wall 22 extending forwardly from the flange I5. The forward end of this wall 22 has an upstanding semi-circular ilange 23 spaced from the flange I5 so as to provide therebetween a semi-circular groove 24.

Asshown in Figures l, 3, 4 and 5, a lip or horizontal flange 25 projects forwardly from the l flange I5 above the groove 24 and in spaced relation from the flange 23. 'Ihis li-p extends only along the central portion of the flange I5 as shown in Figures 1 land 4.

similar'to the end face I4 of the box II andv having a plurality of internally threaded holes 28a extending inwardly therefrom for attachment of the box to a iltting on the end of a conduit.

The box I2 also has a ilat bottom wall 21 similar to the bottom wall I1 of the box' I I.I The inner .ends of these ilat bottom walls I1 vand 21 are adapted tol be placed in abutting relation as shown in Figure 3. 'I'he box I2 also has semicylindrical side walls 28 and 29 similar to the side walls I8 and I9 of the box I I. of the respective side walls I8, 28, and I9, 29 are adapted to be placed in abutting relation as will be evident from Figure 6.

The box I2 also has a horizontal cylindrical passageway 30 extending inwardly from the ilat end face 26 thereof and communicating at its inner end'with an intersecting vertical chamber 3| denned by the nat bottom wall 21 and the cylindrical side walls 28 and 29. This chamber 3i has an open end and an open top.

The ilat bottom wall 21 of the box I2 has a semi-circular groove 21a therein. When the inner ends ofthe flat walls I1 and 21 are placed in abutment, the grooves I1a and 21a thereof will register so as to provide a full circular groove within the chamber portions 2I and 3|.

The box I2, like the box II', has a short at top wall portion 32 forming a top for the inner end of the passageway 30 and having an outturned semi-circular vertical ange or lug 33 therearound; A semi-circular groove 34 is thus provided behind the flange 33 on the top wall 32. 'I'his groove is adapted to register with the groove 24 when the coupling boxes II and I2 are placed in abutment so' as to denne a full circular groove around the top of the assembly.

The central portion of the top of the coupling box I2 has a iiange orlip 35 overlapping the groove 34 in spaced relation from the ilange 33. This lip 35, as best shown in Figures 1 and 4,

`. extends only over a portion of the groove 34.

acted on by the spring washer 38.

A pin 36 projects through the iiange 35 into the outer peripheral portion of the groove 34 to form an abutment surface therein for limitingl movement of the valve-I3 as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

The passageways 20 and 30 of the coupling boxes II and I2 are each counterbored at their inner ends as at 31 and have shoulders 31a at the ends of the counterbores.

A spring washer 38 is seated in each counterl bore 31 against the shoulder 31a and a sleeve 39 is slidably mounted in each counterbore 31 to be The inner edges of the sleeves A39 are cylindrical in conformity with the chambers 2| and 3| of the respective coupling boxes and the spring washers .38 urge these inner edgesoi' the sleeves against the plug valve. The sleeves thus act as seals preventing leakage out of the passageways 20 and 38 when the coupling is in disconnect position 'as shown in Figures 5'and 6 and between ithe passageways and exterior of the plug valve when the coupling is in connect position as shownfinLFigure 3. The sleeves 39, although slidable in the -counl,terbores 3l, are expanded radially by being squeezed between the springs 38 and plug walls so as to have a snug fit in the counterbore thereby sealing the counterbores. In addition the sleeves 39, by being spring urged against the plug valve parts, will act as brakes to prevent unauthorized rotation of .the parts by vibration and the like.

The coupling boxes, when placed together in The coupling box I2`has a ilat end face 75 abutting relation, thus deiine an open-topped I'he inner ends I cylindrical chamber receiving the cylindrical plug valve I3 together with laterally projecting cylindrical chambers 20 and 30 communicating with the central plug-receiving chamber at their inner ends and adapted to communicate at their outer ends with conduit fittings attached to the end faces of the boxes.

The valve parts I3a and I3b have semi-cylindrical side walls 4U and 4| respectively for bearing engagement with the side walls of the coupling boxes. These cylindrical side walls 4I and 40 also project into the grooves. I1a and 21a of the coupling boxes as best shown in Figures 3 and 5. Thus the valve parts I3a and I3b have rim ends 42 and 43 for riding in the grooves 21a and I 1a.

The valve parts I3a and I3b have at top walls,

44 and 45 respectively (Fig. 5) projecting beyond the side walls 48 and 4| and having downturned semi-circular end anges 44a and 45a respectively for engaging the flanges 33 and 23 of the coupling boxes. The projecting portions of the top wall are adapted to t under the anges 35 and 25 of the coupling boxes. The wall 44 also has an extended lug or ear 44h adapted to engage the stop pin 36. Likewise the wall 45 has a stop lug or ear 45h adapted to engage the other side of the stop pin. As shown Kin Figure 4 the lug 44b is positioned vso that it will engage the stop pin 36 when the valvev plug I3a is moved to closed position. As shown in Figure l the lugr 45h is positioned to engage the other side of the stop pin 36 when the valve is rotated to open position.

The walls 44 and 45 of the valve parts I3a and I3b have upwardly extending lugs 46 and 41 respectively for engagement by a turning tool to rotate the valve parts in the coupling boxes.

The valve parts I3a and I3b as best shown in Figure 5, have iiat inner end faces 48 and 49 extending around the periphery thereof for abutting relationwhen the coupling boxes are placed together for the coupling operation.' The valve part |3b has a cylindrical wall 50 deilning a l cylindrical chamber therethrough. The valve part I3a is cylindrically recessed as at 52 to receive the wall 50 of the part |312. To insure proper alignment of the end faces 48 and 49 for the coupling operation a recess 48a is provided in the end face 48 to Areceive a pin 49a projecting from the face 49.

The plug part I3a is operatively mounted in the coupling box I2 by dropping the same between the side walls 28 and 29 thereof into the groove 21a in the bottom wall. To permit this, of course, the valve part must b'erotated so that its flange 44a will clear the overhanging lip 35. Theplug part is then rotated so as to move the flange 44a under .the lip. The plug part I3b is inserted in the coupling box II in a similar manner.

To join the coupling boxes in fluid ow relation it is only necessary to move the same into abutment and to position the valve parts or plug parts carried thereby so that'l the faces 48 and 49 thereof can be placed in abutting relation and so that the'wall 50 can be seatedin the recess 52 and the pin 49a seated in the recess 48a.- The parts I3a and I3b-are then seated together so A that they must turn as a unit. Engagement of the lug portions 46 and 41 by a turning wrench will then make possible rotation of the valve parts as a unit I3 so that the same can be rotated to open position for joining the passageways 20 and 30 of the coupling boxes together through the conduit or intermediate passageway grooves and tracks of both coupling boxes. As a result the boxes are held together by mere rota-A tion of the plug valve from a closed to an opened position. When the plug valve is in opened position for joining the coupling boxes, the stop 45b will be moved toward the stop pin 36. To uncouple the boxes it is merely necessary to reversely rotate the plug valve and move the lug 44h toward the stop pin 36. This will bring the side walls 40 and 4I of the respective valve parts across the inner ends of the passageways 30 and 20 to close these passageways and at the same time will move the flanges of the respective valve parts wholly within the tracks of one box.

Another form of coupling Illa is shown in Figures 7 to 12. The coupling Illa, like the coupling I0, is composed of a pair of coupling boxes and a split rotatable valve rotatably carried by the cou pling boxes so that one piece of the valve is held by each box to seal the port in the box when the boxes are disconnected and so that both pieces of the valve are partially disposed in each box when the coupling is connected for joining the ports of the boxes in uid flow communication.

Thus, as shown in Figures 7 to 12, parts corresponding With parts illustrated and described in connection with Figures 1 to 6 have been marked with the identical reference numerals.

It will be noted in Figures 7 to l2 that the overhanging lips 25a and 35a of the coupling boxes II and I2 of Figures 1 to 6 have been eliminated, and that the coupling box I2 is only equipped with an upstanding lug 60 for defining an abutment against which the ears 44h and 4517 of the valve parts will strike to limit movement of the valve parts to a quarter-turn rotation and thereby insure complete coupling and uncoupling of the coupling boxes. It will also be noted that the flange I5 on `the coupling box II lies in the path of movement of the ears 44h and 45h so.

as to prevent complete seating of the valve part I3a in the coupling box II and so as to prevent removal in one direction of the valve part I3b from the coupling box I I when the coupling is in disconnect position. i

Likewise the ear 44h will strike against the lug 60 to prevent removal of the coupling box I3a from the box I2 in one direction. As will be hereinafter explained, spring pressed locking means are provided for preventing removal of the valve parts from their respective coupling boxes by rotation -in the opposite direction not restricted by the lug 60 or the flange I5.

As best shown in Figure 11, the upstanding I2 and the downturned end iianges 44a and 45a of the valve parts are substantially identical with the arrangement shown in Figure 5. However, as shown in Figure 11, the bottoms I1 and 21 of the coupling boxes have wider grooves 6I than the corresponding grooves I1a and 21a. Central upstanding semi-annular iianges 62` and 63 in the respective coupling boxes dei-lne the innerends of the grooves 6 I.

Semi-circular tongues 64 and `|55 extend inwardly fromy the cylindrical inner side walls of the coupling boxes near the bottoms I1 and 21 thereof to seat in semi-annular grooves 66 and and I3a. This tongue and groove construction eliminates the necessity-for the overhanging lips 23 and 35 of the coupling I3. The valve parts are rotated into their respective coupling boxes and, once they are seated in these boxes, they cannot be lifted out since the tongues 64 and 65 will prevent the valve parts from being lifted away from the bottoms of the coupling boxes.

As also shown in Figure l1, the seal construction is somewhat different than that shown in Figure 5. In Figure l1 sealing sleeves B8 are mounted in the counterbores 31. These sleeves are preferably composed of a plastic -material such as an oil and solvent resisting rubber. A metal liner 69 ls provided for each sleeve 68. The liner has an inner edge spaced inwardly from the inner edge of the sleeve so that it will not scrape against the cylindrical wall of the valve part.

An outturned flange 69a is provided on each liner and a corrugated spring type washer is disposedbetween the shoulder 31a of the counterbore and the flange 39a of the liner to urge the assembly toward the valve parts.

The liner will prevent inward collapse of the sleeve and the sleeve will effectively form a seal against the adjacent valve part as well as against the counterbore since it will be somewhat expanded radially as it is squeezed between the valve parts and the outturned flange of the liner.

As best shown in Figures 10 and l1 the cylindrical wall 50 of the valve part 13a is formed so that it will project beyond the side walls of the coupling box l! as at 1I. The receiving recess 52 of the valve part i3a in turn is formed so that it will lie within the side walls of the coupling box i3d. as indicated at 12. In this manner, the projecting portion 1I is seated in the recess provided at 12 to insure proper alignment of the valve parts and coupling boxes when the same are brought together for the coupling operation. The projecting cylindrical wall and the' pocket for this projecting portion will eliminate,

the necessity for the pin 49a and the recess 43a of the form of the coupling shown in Figures 'l to'6.

As best shown in Figure 12, the rim or flange 23 of the coupling box ll is slotted as at 13 and is inwardly beveled as at 14 on one side of the slot 13. The flange 33 of the coupling box I2 is similarly slotted and beveled.

A pin projects through the top portion of the valve part I3b and has a vertical key 16 on the outer end thereof for riding around the outer face of the flange 23 until it reaches the beveled portion 14 whereupon a spring 11 disposed around the inner end of the pin 15 and held under compression between the bottom of a well 13 formed in the valve part and a head 13 formed on the end of the pin, will pull the key intothe slot 13 thereby locking the valve part 13b against further rotation in a counter-clockwise direction. The valve part |3b, however, is free to move in a clockwise direction since the key 13 will ride on the beveled portion 14 and move tothe outer face of the flange 23. 'I'he clockwise lrotation of the valve part I3b, however, is limited by the lug` 45h which will strike against the flange I6 before the valve of the coupling box.

A similar key, spring,and pin construction is aesmsa 31 formed in the side walls of the valve parts I3b tion until the lug 44h strikes the lug 30 on th coupling housing l2.

When the valve parts Ila and I3b are moved to the positions shown in Figure 12, the passageways 23 and 30 of the coupling boxes are partially opened since the conduit passageway 3i of the valve part |3b will be in communication with the port while the recess 52 will be in communication with the passageway 30. In this manner, conduit lines to which the coupling boxes are connected can be drained if desired.

' However, the valve parts cannot be rotated out of the coupling boxes unless the heads 13 of the part can be moved out pins are depressed so as to move the keys 16 out of the slots 13.

When it is desired to join the Acoupling boxes and to place the passageways 20 and 30 in full communicating relation, the valve parts are rotaed to the position shown in Figures 10 and l1. When the mating faces 48 and 49 of the valve parts are then brought into face to face engagement, the heads 19 of the pins 15 will abut each other and the pins will be moved so that the keys 13 cannot drop into the slots 13. In such position the valve parts can be moved together as a unit between fully closed uncoupled position, as shown in Figure 10, to fully opened coupled position, as shown in'Figures 7 to 9, upon reverse quarter-tum rotation.

As best shown in Figure '1, the valve parts I3a and I3b have central upstanding lugs 80 and 8l providing flat wrench-engaging faces 30a and Bla respectively. These faces are parallel with the mating faces 48 and 49 of the valve parts as best shown in Figures l0 and 11 so that, when these mating faces are brought together and a wrench W (Figure l) is placed over the lugs 30 and 3l and rotated to join the coupling boxes, the thrusting forces of the wrench will serve t0 draw the mating faces of the valve parts closer together and further insure 'proper movement of the valve parts as a true cylindrical unit. Thus, as indicated by the arrows in Figure '7, the cocking effect produced by rotation of the wrench W will actually draw the coupling parts 13a and |3b together. This is, of course, highly desirable.

From the above descriptions it will be understood that in both illustrated forms of the invention quarter turn rotation of the valve not only places the coupling boxes inA connected relation, but also places the passageways of these boxes in full uld flow communication. Reverse quarter turn rotation of the plug valve disconnects the coupling boxes and seals the passageways of these boxes so that leakage out of conduit ends to which the boxes may be attached is prevented. The seals will serve asvbrakes resisting unauthorized rotation of the plug valve so that, when the coupling boxes are disconnected, the valve parts retained therein will not move from sealing positions unless intentionally moved to drain positions.

Each coupling box can be cast or forged in one piece. Likewise each valve part can be cast or forged lin one piecel so that the total assembly is only composed of four main pieces. The arrangement of the grooves and flanges on the respective parts eliminates the necessity for separate end caps or closure plates on the coupling boxes, which had to be assembled on the boxes after the plug parts were inserted.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of the invention may'be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not

the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the y appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. A coupling comprising a pair of complementary semi cup-like coupling boxes having mating inner faces adapted to be placed in abutting position, said boxes, when abutted together providing a cup and dening an open topped closed bottom cylindrical chamber, a cylindrical plug rotatable in said chamber having a top wall ridable on the mouth of the chamber, and means on said boxes overlying said top wall of the plug to retain the plug in position.

2. A quick disconnect coupling comprising a coupling box having side Walls dening a segmental cylindrical recess, a bottom wall on said coupling box closing the bottom of the recess, a semi-circular groove in said bottom wall, a semi-circular valve part in said recess having a rim endridable in said groove, said valve part having a top wall closing the top of said recess, said top wall having a flange overlying said coupling box and said coupling-box having a lip overlying said flange whereby the valve part is rotatably held in the coupling box.

3. A coupling Icomprising a pair of coupling boxes together defining a central open topped cylindrical chamber having ports in the side walls thereof, and a bottom wall closing one end of said chamber, a split cylindrical plug having a circular rim end, a circular groove in said bottom wall receiving said rim end of the plug, said plug having a top wall closing the top of said chamber and overlying the coupling boxes, said overlying portions of. the top wall having a cir-l cular groove therein, a circular flange on the coupling boxes extending into said groove of the top wall, and lip means on each of the coupling boxes overlying said top wall of the valve to retain the valve in the boxes.

4. A coupling comprising a pair of coupling boxesadapted to be placed together to define an open topped closed bottomed valve chamber, a split plug valve rotatably mounted in said chamber and having a grooved flange overlying vthe boxes, upstanding semi-annular flanges on said coupling boxes together'- defining a circular tongue seated in said groove, said plug valve having a peripheral groove around the side wall thereof, and tongues projecting into said chamf ber seated in said circumferential groove whereby the tongue and groove means will rotatably retain the valve parts in the coupling boxes.

5. A quick disconnect sealing coupling which comprises a pair of coupling boxes together deiining an open topped closed bottomed valve chamber, a split plug valve rotatably mounted in said chamber, lugs on each split portion of the plug valve, and abutment means for said lugs Von at least one of said coupling boxes to limit the amount of rotation of the plug valve relative to the coupling boxes. i

6. A couplingcomprising a pair of coupling boxes having passageways therethrough and totogether defining a cylindrical chamber normal to said passageways in communication therewith, a split cylindrical plug rotatably mounted in said chamber and having a passage therethrough providing a connecting conduit section between the passageways, a projecting wall portion on one plug part, a recess for receiving said wall portionin the other lplug part, said projecting wall portion extending beyond the coupling box in which the plug part is rotatably mounted and said recessed portion of the other plug part extending inwardly from the wall of its coupling box whereby the projecting wall portion is adapted to seat in said recess for properly aligning thecoupling boxes and the plug parts to facilitate the coupling operation.

7. A coupling comprising a pair of coupling boxesvhaving passageways therethrough together defining a valve chamber intersecting said passageways, a split plug valve rotatably mounted in said chamber having a grooved flange overlying the coupling boxes, .upstanding flanges on the coupling boxes seated in the'grooves of the overlying ilanges, slots in said upstanding flanges, and spring pressed key means carried by said plug parts adapted to drop into said slots in the coupling box flanges for locking the plug parts relative to the coupling boxes.

8. A coupling comprising a pair of complementary Icoupling boxes having passageways therethrough and together defining an -open topped chamber intersecting said passageways.v

a split plug valve rotatably mounted in said chamber and having a grooved ange overlying the mouth of the'chamber, upstanding flanges on said coupling boxes seated in the grooves of the overlying flanges, slots in said upstanding flanges, pins extending through the plug parts, keys on the ends of said pins adapted to ride on the outer faces of the upstanding coupling box flanges, spring means acting on said pins to hold the keys against the flanges whereby said keys will drop into said slots to limit the amount of rotation of the plug parts, and, said pins having projecting end rportions adapted to be depressed for .moving the keys out -of the slots whenever the plug parts are brought together for a coupling-operation.

an upstanding segmental circular flange thereon and a valve for said coupling box having a segmental circular gro'ove receiving said ange,

the improvement which comprises said ange having a slot therein and a beveled portion extending into said slot from `the outer face of the ange, and a spring pressedkey on said valve adapted to ride on the outer face of said flange to follow the beveled portion thereof into e said slot for limiting movement of the valve.

a 10. In a coupling having a pair of coupling boxes together defining a valvevchamber with a plurality of ports, and a, two-part valve rotatably mounted in said chamber for alternately connecting and sealing said ports while simultaneously coupling and uncoupling the boxes, said valve parts having mating faces adapted to be abutted together for operation of the parts as\\\\a unit valve, the improvement of comple- \\m` ntary turning lugs on said valve parts having wrench receiving faces substantially parallel ,I 

